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In a recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.

A Controversial Appointment

In the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely due to the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.

“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.

Clashing Priorities

Tsipras suggests how Varoufakis had his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his theories using Greece rather than truly advocating its economic stability.

He noted that the talks to avoid insolvency became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid volatile negotiations, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.

On the line lay both the country's destiny but also the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from foreign lenders.

Unsuccessful Alternatives

Efforts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.

Public Vote and U-Turn

In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into deeper existential crisis.

Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those against austerity, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”

After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”

Enduring Criticism

Within the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive management.”

Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.

This account of history has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.